2002 Merlot

 

 

• For a printer-friendly version of these notes, click here.
• For a summary of acclaim this wine received, click here. 

Winemaker Notes

Our 2002 Merlot is remarkably rich, plush, dense and concentrated. Intense black cherry, Italian plum, floral and dusky spice flavors mingle with touches of coffee, licorice, herb and earth scents. Full of flavor and body, this Merlot goes the distance with a long, elegant, persistent finish.

- Jean-François Pellet, Winemaker

The 2002 Vintage

In 2002, Mother Nature smiled upon the Walla Walla Valley, blessing it with yet another — its fifth consecutive — exceptional growing season. Virtually no rain fell between June and September, and the weather remained warm but not too hot. Most days, the temperature ranged in the mid to high 90s, and very few days reached above 100 degrees. This warm, dry weather facilitated uniform verasion, growth and ripening of the clusters. In our vineyards, grapes of all varieties ripened evenly and completely, culminating in a bountiful harvest of premium fruit.

Our wines from this vintage are characterized by a warm, smooth tannin structure and pleasantly ripe, concentrated fruit flavors with an intense, brilliant color.

Wine Specifics

Varietal(s): 89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec

Vineyard(s): 62% Pepper Bridge Vineyard, 38% Seven Hills Vineyard

Appellation: 100% Walla Walla Valley

Oak Program: 66% New Oak, 34% Used Oak; 98% French Oak, 2% American Oak

Time in Barrels: 18 Months

Harvest Date(s): September 7 through September 16, 2002

Brix at Harvest: 24.9

Total Acidity: 0.57 g/ml

pH: 3.74

Finished Alcohol: 13.9 % Vol.

Total Production: 1038 9-liter cases and 50 cases of magnums

Bottling Date: April 15, 2004

Release Date: December 1, 2004

Suggested Retail Price: $45.00